Pressure Mounts on Interior CS Murkomen Amid Rising Insecurity

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is facing growing pressure to resign following the fatal shooting of Catholic priest Father Alloyce Cheruiyot Bett in the restive Kerio Valley. Critics argue the CS has failed to curb insecurity in bandit-prone regions, with calls for his resignation intensifying across political and public spheres.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba led the latest condemnation, stating Murkomen has been more effective as a government critic than as a security administrator. “The killing of the Catholic father by bandits is heartbreaking. Murkomen should just resign,” she declared.

Wamuchomba’s sentiments echo those of Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who earlier this week accused Murkomen of incompetence in handling the security docket. “Incompetence in roads can be fixed later, but incompetence in internal security costs lives,” Cherargei said during a Senate session, later reiterating his concerns on X.

The wave of criticism has also spread to social media, where many Kenyans continue to question Murkomen’s effectiveness, citing the surge in violent attacks, terrorism, and banditry across the country.

This isn’t the first time Murkomen has faced resignation calls. As Transport CS, he was similarly accused of poor performance, a charge he previously attributed to inadequate funding.

Now tasked with overseeing national security, Murkomen’s leadership remains under intense scrutiny, particularly as the country grapples with escalating violence in regions like the North Rift.

President William Ruto has since mourned the slain priest and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring safety nationwide. Speaking from Nairobi, the President assured Kenyans that his government will intensify efforts to protect all citizens, especially those in high-risk areas like Kerio Valley.